Electronic device and method for controlling flexible display

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes flexible display; at least one sensor; at least one processor connected to the flexible display and the at least one sensor; and a memory connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to identify wearing state information of the electronic device and/or bending state information of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor; display first object information on a first display area of the flexible display, based on at least the identified wearing state information and/or bending state information; identify a situation change of the electronic device by the at least one sensor; in response to identifying the situation change, acquire situation information of the electronic device or posture information of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor; and display second object information on a second display area including at least a partial area of the first display area of the flexible display, based on at least the acquired situation information and/or posture information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0046290, filed on Apr. 19,2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates generally to an electronic device and a methodfor 15 controlling a flexible display.

2. Description of Related Art

As the performance of electronic devices is improved, the variety ofservices and additional functions provided by portable electronicdevices such as smartphones is 20 gradually expanding. In order toincrease the utility of an electronic device and satisfy various needsof users, electronic device manufacturers or communication serviceproviders are competitively developing electronic devices providing agreater variety of functions and designed in various forms in order todistinguish the same from those of other companies.

Recently, in order to meet the needs of users who want new and morevarious functions, a flexible electronic device employing a flexibledisplay that can be deformed like paper has been developed andcommercialized. The flexible display may be bent, folded, or rolled by auser's force, and may provide various visual information to the user byoutputting a content such as a text or an image while temporarilymaintaining the shape of the flexible display.

A flexible electronic device may be developed into a wearable electronicdevice worn on the body using the characteristic of being capable ofbeing deformed into various forms. Such a wearable electronic device maybe implemented in the form of a wrist watch worn on the wrist of a userto make it easy for the user to wear the wearable electronic device andto use both hands freely.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure provides an electronic device and a methodfor controlling a flexible display, in which the electronic device andthe method may selectively determine a display area according to a shapechange of a flexible electronic device and a user's situation, and maydisplay object information through the determined display area.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device isprovided. The electronic device includes a flexible display; at leastone sensor; at least one processor functionally connected to theflexible display and the at least one sensor; and a memory functionallyconnected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory isconfigured to store instructions which, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to identify wearing state information of theelectronic device and/or bending state information of the electronicdevice by using the at least one sensor; display first objectinformation on a first display area of the flexible display, based on atleast the identified wearing state information and/or bending stateinformation; identify a situation change of the electronic device by theat least one sensor; in response to identifying the situation change,acquire situation information of the electronic device or postureinformation of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor;and display second object information on a second display area includingat least a partial area of the first display area of the flexibledisplay, based on at least the acquired situation information and/or theposture information.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a non-transient storagemedium storing instructions which, when executed by at least onecircuit, cause the at least one circuit to perform at least oneoperation. The at least one operation includes identifying wearing stateinformation of an electronic device and/or bending state information ofthe electronic device by using at least one sensor; displaying firstobject information on a first display area of a flexible display, basedon at least the identified wearing state information and/or bendingstate information; identifying a situation change in the electronicdevice by the at least one sensor; in response to identifying thesituation change, acquiring situation information of the electronicdevice or posture information of the electronic device by using the atleast one sensor; and displaying second object information on a seconddisplay area including at least a partial area of the first display areaof the flexible display, based on at least the acquired situationinformation and/or the posture information.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method for controllinga flexible display is provided. The method includes identifying wearingstate information of an electronic device and/or bending stateinformation of the electronic device by using at least one sensor;displaying first object information on a first display area of theflexible display, based on at least the identified wearing stateinformation and/or bending state information; identifying a situationchange of the electronic device by the at least one sensor; in responseto identifying the situation change, acquiring situation information ofthe electronic device or posture information of the electronic device byusing the at least one sensor; and displaying second object informationon a second display area including at least a partial area of the firstdisplay area of the flexible display, based on at least the acquiredsituation information and/or the posture information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a networkenvironment according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 4A illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate a structure of an electronic device accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates a structure of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a method for identifying wearing stateinformation by an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9A is an illustration of a bending sensor of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 9B is an illustration of a bending sensor of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a method for dividing an area of aflexible display by an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11A is an illustration of a method for determining a first displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 11B is an illustration of a method for determining a first displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a method for identifying postureinformation by an electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13A is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 13B is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 14A is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 14B is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20A is an illustration of a method for identifying a segmented areaof a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 20B is an illustration of a method for identifying a segmented areaof a flexible display by an electronic device according to anembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 22 is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 25A is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment;

FIG. 25B is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 25C is an illustration of an electronic device controlling aflexible display according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in anetwork environment 100 according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic device 101 in the networkenvironment 100 may communicate with an electronic device 102 via afirst network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network),or an electronic device 104 or a server 108 via a second network 199(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to anembodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with theelectronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment,the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120, memory 130, aninput device 150, a sound output device 155, a display device 160, anaudio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a haptic module179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189,a communication module 190, a subscriber identification module (SIM)196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g.,the display device 160 or the camera module 180) of the components maybe omitted from the electronic device 101, or one or more othercomponents may be added in the electronic device 101. In someembodiments, some of the components may be implemented as singleintegrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module 176 (e.g., afingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may beimplemented as embedded in the display device 160 (e.g., a display).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware orsoftware component) of the electronic device 101 coupled with theprocessor 120, and may perform various data processing or computation.According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing orcomputation, the processor 120 may load a command or data received fromanother component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communicationmodule 190) in volatile memory 132, process the command or the datastored in the volatile memory 132, and store resulting data innon-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g.,a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), asensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that isoperable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor121. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor 123 may beadapted to consume less power than the main processor 121, or to bespecific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may beimplemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions orstates related to at least one component (e.g., the display device 160,the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) among thecomponents of the electronic device 101, instead of the main processor121 while the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state,or together with the main processor 121 while the main processor 121 isin an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to anembodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an ISP or a CP) may beimplemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 orthe communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliaryprocessor 123.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component(e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176) of the electronicdevice 101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g.,the program 140) and input data or output data for a command relatedthereto. The memory 130 may include the volatile memory 132 or thenon-volatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored in the memory 130 as software, and mayinclude, for example, an operating system (OS) 142, middleware 144, oran application 146.

The input device 150 may receive a command or data to be used by othercomponent (e.g., the processor 120) of the electronic device 101, fromthe outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The inputdevice 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard,or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output device 155 may output sound signals to the outside ofthe electronic device 101. The sound output device 155 may include, forexample, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for generalpurposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receivermay be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, thereceiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display device 160 may visually provide information to the outside(e.g., a user) of the electronic device 101. The display device 160 mayinclude, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector andcontrol circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display,hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the displaydevice 160 may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, orsensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure theintensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module 170 may convert a sound into an electrical signal andvice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtainthe sound via the input device 150, or output the sound via the soundoutput device 155 or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g.,an electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupledwith the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power ortemperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state(e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101, andthen generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to thedetected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 mayinclude, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmosphericpressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gripsensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, abiometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or anilluminance sensor.

The interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols to be usedfor the electronic device 101 to be coupled with the external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic device 102) directly (e.g., wiredly) orwirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface 177 may include,for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universalserial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or anaudio interface.

A connecting terminal 178 may include a connector via which theelectronic device 101 may be physically connected with the externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to anembodiment, the connecting terminal 178 may include, for example, a HDMIconnector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector(e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalstimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus whichmay be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinestheticsensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 mayinclude, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electricstimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture a still image or moving images.According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one ormore lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The power management module 388 may manage power supplied to theelectronic device 101. According to one embodiment, the power managementmodule 188 may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery 189 may supply power to at least one component of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the battery 189 mayinclude, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, asecondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g.,wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel betweenthe electronic device 101 and the external electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) andperforming communication via the established communication channel. Thecommunication module 190 may include one or more CPs that are operableindependently from the processor 120 (e.g., the AP) and supports adirect (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication.According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 may include awireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communicationmodule, a short-range wireless communication module, or a globalnavigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wiredcommunication module 194 (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communicationmodule or a power line communication (PLC) module).

A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate withthe external electronic device via the first network 198 (e.g., ashort-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless fidelity(WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the secondnetwork 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as acellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or widearea network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may beimplemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may beimplemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from eachother. The wireless communication module 192 may identify andauthenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, suchas the first network 198 or the second network 199, using subscriberinformation (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI))stored in the subscriber identification module 196.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive a signal or power to orfrom the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of theelectronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the antenna modulemay include an antenna including a radiating element composed of aconductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate(e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, theantenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case,at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in thecommunication network, such as the first network 198 or the secondnetwork 199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192) from the plurality ofantennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or receivedbetween the communication module 190 and the external electronic devicevia the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment,another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC))other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part ofthe antenna module 197.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutuallyand communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via aninter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purposeinput and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobileindustry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted orreceived between the electronic device 101 and the external electronicdevice 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Eachof the electronic devices 102 and 104 may be a device of a same type as,or a different type, from the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronicdevice 101 may be executed at one or more of the external electronicdevices 102, 104, or 108. For example, if the electronic device 101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response toa request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101,instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service,may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform atleast part of the function or the service. The one or more externalelectronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least partof the function or the service requested, or an additional function oran additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome ofthe performing to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of theoutcome, as at least part of a reply to the request.

To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-servercomputing technology may be used, for example.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an electronic device 101 according to anembodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device 101 (or theelectronic device 102 or the electronic device 104) may be a wearableelectronic device that may be worn on a user's body. For example, theelectronic device 101 may be implemented to be worn on the wrist of theleft arm 201 or the right arm 202 (see FIG. 8) of the user's body. Forexample, the electronic device 101 may be implemented in the form of awristwatch, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet, or a ring.

The electronic device 101 may include a body 210, a strap 215 disposedon both ends of the body 210 to surround and be fastened to the wrist ofthe user, and a flexible display 260 disposed on one surface of the body210.

The body 210 of the electronic device 101 has a roughly band-like shapeextending in one direction, and the flexible display 260 may be disposedon a first surface thereof, and a second surface may be in contact withthe user's body in a direction opposite that faced by the first surface.For example, the body 210 may be bent, folded, or rolled up.

The flexible display 260 of the electronic device 101 may be disposed ona surface that may be exposed to the outside when the body 210 isfastened to the body. The flexible display 260 may be bent, folded, orrolled together with the body 210. For example, the flexible display 260may include various types, in which the shape of a display may bechanged by external force, such as a bendable display that can be bentor unbent at a certain angle or a certain curvature, a foldable displaythat can be folded or unfolded, or a rollable display that can be rolledinto a cylinder shape. The flexible display 260 may be configured as atouch screen including a touch panel.

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a structure of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 3B is an illustration of a structure ofan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the electronic device 101 is shown in FIG.3A to be roughly flat and shown in FIG. 3B as being worn on the wrist byapplying force. For example, the electronic device 101 may operate in aflat state, as shown in FIG. 3A, or in a rolled state, as shown in FIG.3B.

The electronic device 101 may include a body 210, straps 215 disposed onboth ends of the body 210 to surround and be fastened to a user's wrist,a fastening member 315 for fastening opposite ends of the straps 215where the ends meet each other, and a flexible display 260 disposed onone surface of the body 210.

The fastening member 315 may be implemented as a first magnet in a firstend of the strap 215 disposed on one side with reference to the body 210and a second end of the strap 215 disposed on the other side thereof andhaving different magnetic properties as compared to the first magnet.The fastening member 315 may be configured in the form of a hook or abuckle.

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a structure of the electronic device 101according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B is an illustration of a structure ofthe electronic device 101 according to an embodiment. FIG. 4C is anillustration of a structure of the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the electronic device 101 is shown inFIG. 4A to be roughly flat, shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C as being worn onthe wrist by applying force thereto. For example, the electronic device101 may operate in a flat state, as shown in FIG. 4A, or in a rolledstate, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C.

The electronic device 101 may include a body 410, and a flexible display260 disposed on one surface of the body 410.

The body 410 might not include the strap 215 or the fastening member315. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the body 410 may have aroughly bar-like shape extending in one direction, and may be maintainedin a flat state, where the flexible display 260 may be formed over all(or most) of one surface of the body 410. The body 410 may include athin plate made of metal material, and may be maintained in a flat statewhen there is no external force applied thereto. However, when the body410 is placed on the wrist and a predetermined force is applied to thedirection of wrapping around the wrist, the body 410 is bent in thedirection of wrapping around the wrist. For example, as shown in FIGS.4B and 4C, the body 410 is disposed to wrap around the wrist, and, thus,may be in a state of being worn on the wrist. As shown in FIG. 4B, thebody 410 may be configured such that both ends of the body 410 do notcontact each other when the body 410 is worn on the wrist. As shown inFIG. 4C, the body 410 may be configured such that both ends of the body410 are overlappingly rolled on each other when the body 410 is worn onthe wrist.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of a structure of the electronic device 101according to an embodiment. FIG. 5B is an illustration of a structure ofthe electronic device 101 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the electronic device 101 is shown to beroughly flat in FIG. 5A, and shows the electronic device 101 worn on thewrist by applying a force thereto in FIG. 5B. For example, theelectronic device 101 may operate in a flat state, as shown in FIG. 5A,or may operate in a rolled state, as shown in FIG. 5B.

The electronic device 101 may include a body 510, a strap 215 disposedon both ends of the body 510 to surround and be fastened to the wrist ofthe user, a fastening member 315 for fastening opposite ends of thestraps 215 where the ends meet each other, and a flexible display 260disposed on one surface of the body 510.

The body 510 may include a plurality of segmented nodes 511 and hinges512 connecting the nodes 511 at the bottom of the flexible display 260.Each segmented node 511 of the body 510 may be configured with ahardware module. For example, the body 510 may be a flexible electronicdevice in which a plurality of segmented nodes 511 is bent according toa user's body curvature. A part of the body 510 may have a fixed degreeof bending, the hardware module may be configured at a portion in whichadditional nodes are configured in a segmented form and having a fixeddegree of bending, and the body 510 may provide flexibilitycharacteristics due to a portion in which segmented nodes areconfigured.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device 101 may include the processor120, the memory 130, the communication module 190, the sensor module176, a flexible display 260, a bending sensor 660, and/or structures forreceiving the above elements.

The electronic device 101 may be a wearable electronic device that maybe worn on a user's body. For example, the electronic device 101 mayinclude hardware elements, such as the processor 120, the memory 130,the communication module 190, the sensor module 176, and the bendingsensor 660; and the flexible display 260, wherein the hardware elementsmay be received within the bodies 210, 410, and 510, which can beflexibly deformed into a form that can be worn on a user's body; and theflexible display 260 configured to be disposed on a surface exposed tothe outside when the bodies 210, 410, and 510 are attached to the body.When implemented in a practical application, as necessary, two or moredevice elements of the electronic device 101 may be combined into oneelement, or one element may be subdivided into two or more elements,some elements thereof may be excluded, or other elements may be furtherconfigured therein.

The processor 120 may display first object information on a firstdisplay area of the flexible display 260, based at least on the wearingstate information of the electronic device 101 and/or the bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101.

The processor 120 may identify wearing state information including atleast one of whether the electronic device 101 is being worn, a wearingposition on which the electronic device 101 is being worn, or a wearingorientation in which the electronic device 101 is being worn, using atleast one sensor included in the sensor module 176. The processor 120may identify whether or not the electronic device 101 is being wornaccording to whether the electronic device 101 comes into contact with auser's body using a proximity sensor included in the sensor module 176.Alternatively, the processor 120 may identify whether or not theelectronic device 101 is in a wearing state according to whether auser's body signal is detected using the biometric sensor included inthe sensor module 176 after the electronic device 101 comes into contactwith the user's body. Alternatively, the processor 120 may receive asignal indicating a fastening state from the fastening member 315, whichis responsible for fastening of the electronic device 101, and mayidentify whether or not the electronic device 101 is in a wearing stateaccording to whether or not the signal is received. The processor 120may identify the part of the body on which the electronic device 101 isbeing worn or the orientation in which the electronic device 101 isworn, using a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensorincluded in the sensor module 176.

The processor 120 may identify bending state information including areasegmentation information of the flexible display 260 corresponding to abending degree of the flexible display 260, using the bending sensor660. For example, the bending sensor 660 may be configured such thatflexible sensors capable of measuring the bending degree of the flexibledisplay 260 are usable in combination with the flexible display 260. Forexample, the bending sensor 660 may include at least one of a flexsensor, a pressure sensor, at least one inertial sensor (e.g., a gyrosensor and/or an acceleration sensor), or a Hall effect integratedcircuit (IC) sensor.

The processor 120 may determine a first display area of the flexibledisplay 260 based on the wearing state information and/or the bendingstate information. For example, the processor 120 may identify segmentedareas of the flexible display 260 based on the bending stateinformation. In addition, based on the wearing state information, whenthe electronic device 101 is being worn, the processor 120 may identifythe position of the user's body on which the electronic device 101 isbeing worn and the orientation in which the electronic device 101 beingworn on the user's body is worn. For example, when it is identified thatthe electronic device 101 is being worn on the user's left arm, theprocessor 120 may determine, as a first display area, areascorresponding to a position where a user's gaze is directed to the leftfrom among the segmented areas of the flexible display 260.Alternatively, when it is identified that the electronic device 101 isbeing worn on the user's right arm, the processor 120 may determine, asa first display area, areas corresponding to a position where a user'sgaze is directed to the right from among the segmented areas of theflexible display 260.

The processor 120 may display first object information on the firstdisplay area of the flexible display 260. For example, the first objectinformation may include a watch face screen, a user interface screen,and a display screen showing various contents. The first objectinformation may include a screen configured to have a size ororientation suitable for serving as the first display area. For example,when the first display area includes a wide area in the entire area ofthe flexible display 260, the processor 120 may display first objectinformation including a screen corresponding to the wide area.Alternatively, when the first display area includes a narrow area in theentire area of the flexible display 260, the processor 120 may displayfirst object information including a screen corresponding to the narrowarea. Alternatively, when the electronic device 101 is worn on the leftarm of the user, the processor 120 may display first object informationincluding a screen that is useful when a user looks in the leftdirection. Alternatively, when the electronic device 101 is worn on theright arm of the user, the processor 120 may display first objectinformation including a screen that is useful when the user looks in theright direction.

The processor 120 may, in response to identification of a situationchange of the electronic device 101, display second object informationon a second display area including at least a partial area of the firstdisplay area of the flexible display 260, based at least on situationinformation of the electronic device 101 and/or posture information ofthe electronic device 101.

The processor 120 may identify situation information of the electronicdevice 101 based on a pattern of collected sensor data or learningthereof, using at least one sensor included in the sensor module 176.The processor 120 may identify situation information related to abehavior pattern of a user wearing the electronic device 101, based on apattern or learning of sensor data collected by at least one of a gyrosensor, a magnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor included in thesensor module 176. For example, the situation information may include atleast one of stopping, walking, running, riding a bicycle, driving avehicle, or exercise using the arms as a user's behavior pattern. Theprocessor 120 may identify whether a previous situation changes to apreconfigured situation based on the situation information of theelectronic device 101. For example, the processor 120 may identify thatthe situation of the electronic device 101 has changed when the previoussituation information and newly identified situation information aredifferent from each other. Further, when it is identified that thesituation, which has been changed based on the situation information ofthe electronic device 101, is maintained for a preconfigured time, theprocessor 120 may identify that the situation of the electronic device101 has changed. For example, when the identified previous situationinformation indicates a stopped state and the newly identified situationinformation indicates a vehicle-driving state, it may be identified thatthe situation of the electronic device 101 has changed. For example, asituation in which the arm of a user wearing the electronic device 101is maintained in a fixed state at a predetermined angle and the user'sgaze is changed compared to the previous situation may be designated asthe preconfigured situation.

The processor 120 may identify, in response to identification of asituation change of the electronic device 101, posture information ofthe electronic device 101 by using at least one sensor included in thesensor module 176. The processor 120 may identify posture informationincluding a vertical vector of the flexible display 260, based on sensordata collected by an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor included inthe sensor module 176. For example, when the situation is changed to asituation in which the user's arm is maintained in a fixed state at apredetermined angle, such as when driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle,the processor 120 may identify the direction in which the flexibledisplay 260 of the electronic device 101 is oriented according to theuser's driving of a vehicle, based on posture information including avertical vector of the flexible display 260.

The processor 120 may identify a certain area in which the user's gazeis fixed and maintained on the first display area of the flexibledisplay 260, based on situation information of the electronic device 101and/or posture information of the electronic device 101. For example,when the situation is changed to a situation in which a user's arm ismaintained in a fixed state at a predetermined angle in a firstdirection, such as when driving a vehicle, the processor 120 mayidentify a certain area of the flexible display 260, to which the user'sgaze may be directed according to the first direction of the user's arm,based on posture information including a vertical vector of the flexibledisplay 260. Further, when the identified certain area is limited to apartial area of the first display area of the flexible display 260, theprocessor 120 may determine the corresponding partial area as a seconddisplay area. Alternatively, when the situation is changed to asituation in which the user's arm is maintained in a fixed state at apredetermined angle in a second direction, such as when riding abicycle, the processor 120 may identify a certain area of the flexibledisplay 260, to which the user's gaze may be directed according to thesecond direction of the user's arm, based on posture informationincluding a vertical vector of the flexible display 260. Further, whenthe identified certain area is limited to a partial area of the firstdisplay area of the flexible display 260, the processor 120 maydetermine the corresponding partial area to be a second display area.

The processor 120 may display second object information in the seconddisplay area of the flexible display 260. For example, the second objectinformation may include a watch face screen, a user interface screen,and a display screen showing various contents, which are the same asthose of the first object information displayed on the first displayarea. The second object information may include a screen obtained bymodifying a screen of the first object information to be suitable for asize or position corresponding to a second display area different fromthe first display area. For example, when the second display areaincludes a partial flat area in the first display area, the processor120 may display second object information including a screencorresponding to an area that is relatively narrower and flatter thanthe first display area. Alternatively, when the second display areaincludes a partial curved area in the first display area, the processor120 may display second object information including a screencorresponding to an area that is relatively narrower and more curvedthan the first display area.

The processor 120 may activate the first display area or the seconddisplay area among the entire area of the flexible display 260, and maydeactivate a third display area different from the first display areaand the second display area among the entire area. For example,deactivation may refer to: turning off power to a screen area other thanthe first display area or the second display area among the entire areaof the flexible display 260; not displaying the screen; or changing thebrightness or color of the screen.

The processor 120 may identify area information of the first displayarea or the second display area of the flexible display using thebending sensor 660, and may change and display the first objectinformation or the second object information based on the identifiedarea information. For example, the thicknesses of wrists of varioususers wearing the electronic device 101 may be different from eachother, and the degree of bending of the flexible display 260 may also bedifferent from each other according to the thicknesses of the wrists ofthe users. For example, the flexible displays 260 may have the sametotal area. However, the bending degrees or bending positions of theflexible displays 260 may be different depending on the users wearingthe flexible displays, and thus area segmentation of the flexibledisplays 260 may be differently configured. The processor 120 mayconfigure a screen size or arrangement of the first object informationor the second object information differently from the default screenconfiguration so as to be suitable for the area information of the firstdisplay area or the second display area of the flexible display 260, anddisplay the same.

The processor 120 may identify movement information of the electronicdevice 101 using at least one sensor included in the sensor module 176,and may change and display the first object information or the secondobject information based on the identified movement information. Forexample, the processor 120 may identify movement information of theelectronic device 101 based on sensor data collected by at least one ofa gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor included inthe sensor module 176, and when the identified movement information isrepeated with a predetermined pattern, the processor 120 may change anddisplay a display direction, a screen size, or an arrangement of thefirst object information or the second object information with respectto the default screen configuration so as to have visibility suitablefor the corresponding movement.

The memory 130 may store a program and various data for controlling theoverall operation of the electronic device 101. For example, the memory130 may store instructions which, when executed, control the processor120 to perform various operations.

The communication module 190 may have a hardware and softwareconfiguration that enables video communication, voice communication, anddata communication.

The sensor module 176 may include sensors required for the processor 120to acquire wearing state information, bending state information,situation information, or posture information of the electronic device101. For example, the sensor module 176 may include at least one of agyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a proximitysensor, or a biometric sensor. The sensor module 176 may include atleast one inertial sensor (e.g., a gyro sensor and/or an accelerationsensor), and the at least one inertial sensor may perform thecorresponding function in place of all or part of the bending sensor660.

The flexible display 260 may be a hardware configuration that displaysinformation processed in the electronic device 101. The flexible display260 may provide an information screen to a user. The flexible display260 may be configured as a touch screen including a touch panel.

The bending sensor 660 may measure a bending degree of the electronicdevice 101 or the flexible display 260. For example, the bending degreemay refer to a state in which the external shape of the electronicdevice 101 or the flexible display 260 is changed, such as bending,folding, or rolling. The bending sensor 660 may be configured such thatflexible sensors capable of measuring the bending degree of theelectronic device 101 are combined with the flexible display 260 andused. For example, the bending sensor 660 may include at least one of aflex sensor, a pressure sensor, at least one inertial sensor (e.g., agyro sensor and/or an acceleration sensor), or a Hall effect IC sensor.For example, the bending sensor 660 may include a flex sensor, and theflex sensor may detect whether the flexible display 260 is deformedaccording to whether a measured resistance value is changed. Inaddition, the flex sensor may include a plurality of sensing pointsarranged at a predetermined interval, and may detect a deformationcurvature or a deformation position according to a numerical changecollected at each sensing point. Alternatively, according to thestructure of the electronic device 101, for example, in a case where theelectronic device 101 includes the body 510 having a structure as shownin FIGS. 5A and 5B, the bending sensor 660 may include a Hall effect ICsensor installed at each node of the body 510, the Hall effect IC sensormay measure the proximity degree between nodes, and may detect adeformation curvature or a deformation position according to theproximity degree or position. The bending sensor 660 may include aplurality of inertial sensors (e.g., a gyro sensor and/or anacceleration sensor), and the plurality of inertial sensors are disposedat a predetermined interval inside the flexible display 260, and maydetect a deformation curvature or a deformation position of the flexibledisplay 260 on the basis of a relative posture difference of eachinertial sensor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, steps 710, 720, 730, and 740 may be implementedthrough the electronic device 101, the electronic device 102, or theelectronic device 104, or the processor 120. The electronic device 101may store instructions for executing steps 710, 720, 730, and 740 in thememory 130. At least one of steps 710, 720, 730, and 740 may be omitted,the order of some steps may be changed, or another step may be added.

In step 710, the electronic device 101 may determine a first displayarea of the display device 160 or the flexible display 260. For example,the electronic device 101 may determine a first display area of theflexible display 260, based at least on wearing state information of theelectronic device 101 and/or bending state information of the electronicdevice 101.

The electronic device 101 may identify whether the electronic device 101is being worn on a user's body using a biometric sensor or a proximitysensor included in the sensor module 176, or the fastening member 315,responsible for fastening the electronic device 101.

When it is identified that the electronic device 101 is being worn on auser's body, the electronic device 101 may identify the part of the bodyon which the electronic device 101 is being worn or the orientationthereof using at least one of a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, or anacceleration sensor included in the sensor module 176.

The electronic device 101 may identify bending state information,including area segmentation information of the flexible display 260corresponding to the bending degree of the flexible display 260, usingthe bending sensor 660.

The electronic device 101 may determine a first display area of theflexible display 260 based on the identified wearing state informationof the electronic device 101 and/or bending state information of theelectronic device 101. For example, the electronic device 101 identifiessegmented areas of the flexible display 260 based on the bending stateinformation, and if it is determined that the electronic device 101 isbeing worn based on the wearing state information, the electronic device101 may identify the part of the body of the user on which theelectronic device 101 is being worn, and may identify the orientation inwhich the worn electronic device 101 is being worn. For example, when itis identified that the electronic device 101 is worn on the left arm ofthe user, based on the identified wearing state information and bendingstate information of the electronic device 101, the electronic device101 may determine, as a first display area, areas corresponding to aposition where the user's gaze is directed to the left from among thesegmented areas of the flexible display 260. Alternatively, when it isidentified that the electronic device 101 is worn on the right arm ofthe user, the electronic device 101 may determine, as a first displayarea, areas corresponding to a position where the user's gaze isdirected to the right from among the segmented areas of the flexibledisplay 260.

In step 720, the electronic device 101 may display first objectinformation on the first display area of the flexible display 260. Forexample, the first object information may include a watch face screen, auser interface screen, and a display screen showing various contents.The first object information may include a screen configured to besuitable for a size or a direction corresponding to the first displayarea. For example, when the first display area includes a wide area inthe entire area of the flexible display 260, the electronic device 101may display first object information including a screen corresponding toa wide area. Alternatively, when the first display area includes anarrow area in the entire area of the flexible display 260, theelectronic device 101 may display first object information including ascreen corresponding to the narrow area. Alternatively, when theelectronic device 101 is mounted on the left arm of the user, theelectronic device 101 may display first object information including ascreen that is usable when a user looks in the left direction.Alternatively, when the electronic device 101 is mounted on the rightarm of the user, the electronic device 101 may display first objectinformation including a screen that is usable when the user looks in theright direction.

In step 730, the electronic device 101 may determine (or identify) asecond display area of the flexible display 260. For example, theelectronic device 101 may perform an operation for determining thesecond display area in response to identification of a situation changeof the electronic device 101.

The electronic device 101 may identify situation information related toa behavior pattern of a user wearing the electronic device 101, based ona pattern or learning of sensor data collected by at least one of a gyrosensor, a magnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor included in thesensor module 176. For example, the situation information may include,as the user's behavior pattern, at least one of stopping, walking,running, riding a bicycle, driving a vehicle, or exercising using thearms. For example, the electronic device 101 may perform an operation ofdetermining a second display area when it is identified that a previoussituation changes to a preconfigured situation based on the situationinformation of the electronic device 101, or when it is identified thatthe changed situation has been maintained for a preconfigured time.

In a case where the situation change of the electronic device 101satisfies a preconfigured situation change or the situation change ismaintained for a predetermined time, the electronic device 101 mayidentify posture information including a vertical vector of the flexibledisplay 260, based on sensor data collected by at least one of a gyrosensor, a magnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor included in thesensor module 176. For example, in the case where the situation ischanged to a situation in which the user's arm is maintained in a fixedstate at a predetermined angle, such as when driving a vehicle or ridinga bicycle, the electronic device 101 may identify the direction in whichthe flexible display 260 of the electronic device 101 is orientedaccording to the driving a vehicle of the user, based on postureinformation including a vertical vector of the flexible display 260.

The electronic device 101 may determine a second display area of theflexible display 260 based on the identified situation information ofthe electronic device 101 and/or posture information of the electronicdevice 101. For example, the electronic device 101 may identify acertain area, in which the user's eyes are fixed and maintained in thefirst display area of the flexible display 260. For example, when thesituation is changed to a situation in which a user's arm is maintainedin a fixed state at a predetermined angle in a first direction, such aswhen driving a vehicle, the electronic device 101 may identify a certainarea of the flexible display 260, to which the user's gaze is directedaccording to the first direction of the user's arm, based on postureinformation including a vertical vector of the flexible display 260.Further, when the identified certain area is limited to a partial areaof the first display area of the flexible display 260, the electronicdevice 101 may determine the corresponding partial area to be a seconddisplay area. Alternatively, in a case where the identified situation isa situation that has changed to the situation in which the user's arm ismaintained in a fixed state at a predetermined angle in a seconddirection, such as when riding a bicycle, the electronic device 101 mayidentify a certain area of the flexible display 260, to which the user'sgaze may be directed to according to the second direction of the user'sarm, based on posture information including a vertical vector of theflexible display 260. Further, when the identified certain area islimited to a partial area of the first display area of the flexibledisplay 260, the electronic device 101 may determine the partial area tobe a second display area.

In step 740, the electronic device 101 may display second objectinformation in the second display area of the flexible display 260. Forexample, the second object information may include a watch face screen,a user interface screen, and a display screen showing various contents,which are the same as those of the first object information displayed onthe first display area. The second object information may include ascreen obtained by modifying a screen of the first object information tobe suitable for a size or position corresponding to a second displayarea, different from the first display area. For example, in the casewhere the second display area includes a partial flat area in the firstdisplay area, the electronic device 101 may display second objectinformation including a screen corresponding to an area that isrelatively narrower and flatter than the first display area.Alternatively, in the case where the second display area includes apartial curved area in the first display area, the electronic device 101may display second object information including a screen correspondingto an area that is relatively narrower and more curved than the firstdisplay area.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a method for identifying wearing stateinformation by the electronic device 101 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the electronic device 101 may be worn on a user'sleft arm 201 or the user's right arm 202. The electronic device 101 maydetermine the arm of the user on which the electronic device 101 ismounted, using at least one of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, ora magnetic sensor included in the sensor module 176. For example, whenthe electronic device 101 is worn on the user's left arm 201, theacceleration value for the x-axis obtained by the acceleration sensormay have a value of “+g”, and when the electronic device 101 is worn onthe user's right arm 202, the acceleration value of the x-axis obtainedby the acceleration sensor may have a value of “−g”, and thus theposition and the direction in which the electronic device 101 is wornmay be distinguished.

FIG. 9A is an illustration of the bending sensor 660 of the electronicdevice 101 according to an embodiment. FIG. 9B is an illustration of thebending sensor 660 of the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, FIG. 9A illustrates the bending sensor 660of the electronic device 101 implemented in the flexible display 260,and FIG. 9B illustrates the bending sensor 660 of the electronic device101 implemented in the body 510.

The flexible display 260 of the electronic device 101 may be implementedin combination with the bending sensor 660. For example, the bendingsensor 660 may be a flex sensor capable of measuring resistance valuesdifferently according to the degree of bending. The flex sensor maydetect whether the flexible display 260 is deformed, according towhether the measured resistance value changes. In addition, the flexsensor may include a plurality of sensing points 665 disposed at apredetermined interval, and may detect a deformation curvature or adeformation position according to a numerical change collected at eachsensing point 665.

In a case where the body 510 of the electronic device 101 is implementedas a plurality of segmented nodes 511 and hinges 512 connecting thenodes 511 at the bottom of the flexible display 260, each node 511 maybe implemented to include a Hall effect IC sensor. For example, the Halleffect IC sensor included in each of the nodes 511 of the body 510 maymeasure the proximity degree of nodes 511, and may detect a deformationcurvature or a deformation position according to the proximity degree orposition. For example, depending on whether a distance measured betweennodes 511 of the body 510 is Δd1 or Δd2, the deformation curvature orthe deformation position of the electronic device 101 may be detected.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a method for dividing an area of aflexible display by the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 101 may be divided into aplurality of areas 261, 262, and 263 corresponding to a bending degreeof the flexible display 260, based on sensor data obtained by a bendingsensor 660. For example, when the electronic device 101 is worn on thewrist of the user's body, the flexible display 260 may be bent accordingto an upper portion of the wrist (for example, the manner in which awatch is worn) and a curve along the side of the wrist. The area of theflexible display 260 may be divided by measuring the bending degreeusing the bending sensor 660. For example, assuming that the electronicdevice 101 is worn on the user's left arm, an area of the flexibledisplay 260 corresponding to a first position of the left wrist (forexample, the left direction from the wrist) is divided into a first area261, an area of the flexible display 260 corresponding to a secondposition of the left wrist (e.g., the upper part of the wrist) may bedivided into a second area 262, and an area of the flexible display 260corresponding to a third position of the left wrist (e.g., the rightdirection from the wrist) may be divided into a third area 263.

FIG. 11A is an illustration of a method for determining a first displayarea of the flexible display 260 by the electronic device 101 accordingto an embodiment. FIG. 11B is an illustration of a method fordetermining a first display area of the flexible display 260 by theelectronic device 101 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, FIG. 11A illustrates the electronicdevice 101 worn on the left arm of a user's body, and FIG. 11Billustrates the electronic device 101 worn on the right arm of theuser's body.

When the electronic device 101 is worn on the user's left wrist, theuser's gaze may be directed to the second area 262 and the third area263 among the plurality of areas 261, 262, and 263 of the flexibledisplay 260. For example, the electronic device 101 may determine, as afirst display area 1161 a, the second area 262 and the third area 263 towhich the user's gaze may mainly be directed. For example, theelectronic device 101 may activate the second area 262 and the thirdarea 263 included in the first display area 1161 a so as to display aninformation screen (e.g., first object information), and may deactivatethe first area 261 excluded from the first display area 1161 a. Forexample, power of the deactivated first area 261 may be shut off, ascreen may not be displayed, or the brightness or color of the screenmay be changed. A screen different from the information screen may bedisplayed on the deactivated first area 261. For example, the screendifferent from the information screen may display a preconfigured orfixed image, such as a part of a watch shape or a strap, or anaesthetically pleasing image.

When the electronic device 101 is worn on the user's right wrist, theuser's gaze may be directed to the first area 261 and the second area262 among the plurality of areas 261, 262, and 263 of the flexibledisplay 260. For example, the electronic device 101 may determine thefirst area 261 and the second area 262, to which the user's gaze maymainly be directed, as the first display area 1161 b. For example, theelectronic device 101 may activate the first area 261 and the secondarea 262 included in the first display area 1161 b so as to display aninformation screen (e.g., first object information), and may deactivatethe third area 263 excluded from the first display area 1161 b.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a method for identifying postureinformation by the electronic device 101 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electronic device 101 may measure a verticalvector perpendicular to the x-y plane of an electronic device 101, usingan acceleration sensor 1260 mounted parallel to the flexible display260. For example, the vertical vector may have a range from −90 degreesto +90 degrees. For example, when the vertical vector is −90 degrees,the electronic device 101 may identify that the flexible display 260 isin a flat state and is facing the ground. Alternatively, when thevertical vector is 0 degrees, the electronic device 101 may identifythat the flexible display 260 is in the vertical state. Alternatively,when the vertical vector is +90 degrees, the electronic device 101 mayidentify that the flexible display 260 is in the flat state and facingupwards. According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 mayconfigure a reference gaze posture (e.g., a reference vertical vector),from which the user views the electronic device 101, using the verticalvector Z of the flexible display 260. For example, the electronic device101 may configure, as a reference gaze posture value, a vertical vectorof the flexible display 260 when the user generally looks at theelectronic device 101 according to a wearing position or a wearingorientation of the electronic device 101. When the vertical vector ofthe flexible display 260 is different from the reference gaze posturevalue, the electronic device 101 may identify that the gaze posture ofthe user looking at the electronic device 101 has changed. In addition,when it is identified that the gaze posture of the user has changed, theelectronic device 101 may change a display area of the flexible display260 based on the vertical vector of the flexible display 260 at thecorresponding time point. For example, the electronic device 101 mayprovide a configuration interface that enables a user to configure thereference gaze posture of the electronic device 101, induce the user tolook the electronic device 101 naturally through the configurationinterface, and configure, as the reference gaze posture value, thevertical vector of the flexible display 260 at the corresponding timepoint. The configuration interface may be provided as part of aconfiguration menu of the electronic device 101, and the configurationinterface may be provided according to the user's menu selection.Alternatively, the configuration interface may be provided during aninitial configuration process of the electronic device 101 upon firstexecution of the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 mayconfigure a plurality of different gaze posture values for each usersituation by using a vertical vector identified for each user situation.

FIG. 13A is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment. FIG. 13B is a diagram 1300 b for illustrating a method fordetermining a second display area of a flexible display by an electronicdevice according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, when, for example, the electronic device101 is worn on the left arm of a user's body, FIG. 13A illustrates anexample in which the user's gaze is directed to the third area 263 ofthe flexible display 260 from the perspective of the user's gaze, andFIG. 13B illustrates an example in which the user's gaze is directed tothe third area 263 of the flexible display 260 from the perspective ofthe user's wearing of the electronic device.

The electronic device 101 may be worn on the wrist of the user's leftarm 201, and the user's gaze may be concentrically directed to theinside of the wrist of the user's left arm 201. For example, theelectronic device 101 may configure, as a reference gaze posture value,a vertical vector of the flexible display 260 when the user generallylooks at the electronic device 101. For example, the vertical vector ofthe flexible display 260 may have a value of about 45 degrees when theuser's gaze is located in the second area 262 and the third area 263 ofthe flexible display 260 while the user is wearing the electronic device101 on the wrist of the left arm 201, and the electronic device 101 mayconfigure, as the reference gaze posture value, a value of the verticaldirection vector of about 45 degrees. When the situation information ofthe electronic device 101 is changed to a preconfigured situation andthe vertical vector of the flexible display 260 has a value of about 90degrees, different from the value of about 45 degrees, which is areference gaze posture value, the electronic device 101 may identifythat the user's gaze posture has changed. When the vertical vector ofthe flexible display 260 has a value of approximately 90 degrees, theelectronic device 101 may identify that the user's gaze isconcentrically directed to the third area 263 of the flexible display260, and may determine the third area 263, to which the user's gaze isconcentrically directed, to be a second display area 1362. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the electronic device 101 may determine thatthe first display area 1161 a includes the second area 262 and the thirdarea 263 of the flexible display 260. In addition, when the user'sposture is changed and the user's gaze is concentrically directed to thethird area 263, the electronic device 101 may determine the third area263 of the flexible display 260 to be a second display area 1362. Forexample, when a display area of the flexible display 260 is switchedfrom the first display area 1161 a to the second display area 1362, theelectronic device 101 may activate only the third area 263 included inthe second display area 1362 so as to display an information screen 1365(for example, second object information), and may deactivate the firstarea 261 and the second area 262 excluded from the second display area1362.

FIG. 14A is an illustration of a method for determining a second displayarea of a flexible display by the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment. FIG. 14B is an illustration of a method for determining asecond display area of a flexible display by the electronic device 101according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B when, for example, the electronic device101 is worn on the left arm of the user's body, FIG. 14A illustrates anexample in which the user's gaze is directed to the second area 262 ofthe flexible display 260 from the perspective of the user's gaze, andFIG. 14B illustrates an example in which the user's gaze is directed tothe second area 262 of the flexible display 260 from the perspective ofthe user's wearing of the electronic device.

The electronic device 101 may be worn on the wrist of the user's leftarm 201, and the user's gaze may be concentrically directed to the upperpart of the wrist of the user's left arm 201. For example, theelectronic device 101 may configure, as the reference gaze posturevalue, a value of about 45 degrees, which is a vertical vector when theuser's gaze is located in the second area 262 and the third area 263 ofthe flexible display 260 while the user is wearing the electronic device101 on the wrist of the left arm 201. The electronic device 101 mayidentify that the user's gaze posture has changed when the situationinformation of the electronic device 101 is changed to a preconfiguredsituation, and the vertical vector of the flexible display 260 closes toa value of about 0 degrees, which is different from the value of about45 degrees, which is the reference gaze posture value. When the verticalvector of the flexible display 260 has a value of about 0 degrees, theelectronic device 101 may identify that the user's gaze isconcentrically directed to the second area 262 of the flexible display260, and may determine the second area 262 to which the user's gaze isconcentrically directed, to be a second display area 1462. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 11A, the electronic device 101 may determine thatthe first display area 1161 a includes the second area 262 and the thirdarea 263 of the flexible display 260. In addition, when the user'sposture is changed and the user's gaze is concentrically directed to thesecond area 262, the electronic device 101 may determine the second area262 of the flexible display 260 to be a second display area 1462. Forexample, when the display area of the flexible display 260 is switchedfrom the first display area 1161 a to the second display area 1462, theelectronic device 101 may activate only the second area 262 included inthe second display area 1462 so as to display an information screen 1465(for example, second object information), and may deactivate the firstarea 261 and the third area 263 excluded from the second display area1462.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, steps 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, and 1550 may beimplemented through the electronic device 101, the electronic device102, or the electronic device 104 or the processor 120. The electronicdevice 101 may store instructions for executing steps 1510 to 1560 inthe memory 130. At least one of step 1510 to 1560 may be omitted, theorder of some steps may be changed, or another step may be added.

In step 1510, the electronic device 101 may identify whether theelectronic device 101 is being worn on a user's body. For example, theelectronic device 101 may identify whether the electronic device 101 isbeing worn on the user's body using a biometric sensor or a proximitysensor included in the sensor module 176, or the fastening member 315that is responsible for fastening the electronic device 101.

In step 1520, the electronic device 101 may identify bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify bending state information including areasegmentation information of the flexible display 260, corresponding tothe bending degree of the flexible display 260, using the bending sensor660.

In step 1530, the electronic device 101 may identify wearing stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may determine a position of the body at which the electronicdevice 101 is being worn or an orientation thereof by using a gyrosensor, a magnetic sensor, and an acceleration sensor included in thesensor module 176. When the wearing state information including thewearing position or the wearing orientation of the electronic device 101is identified, the electronic device 101 may perform step 1540, and whenthe wearing state information is not identified, the electronic device101 is in a standby state until the wearing state information isidentified.

In step 1540, the electronic device 101 may determine a first displayarea of the flexible display 260 based on the identified wearing stateinformation of the electronic device 101 and/or bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify segmented areas of the flexible display 260based on the bending state information, and if the electronic device 101is determined to be in a state of being worn by the user based on thewearing state information, the electronic device 101 may identify theposition of the user's body on which the electronic device 101 is beingworn, and may identify the orientation of the electronic device 101being worn by the user. For example, when it is identified that theelectronic device 101 is worn on the left arm of the user, based on theidentified wearing state information and bending state information ofthe electronic device 101, the electronic device 101 may determine, as afirst display area, areas corresponding to the location where the user'sgaze is directed to the left among the segmented areas of the flexibledisplay 260. Alternatively, when it is identified that the electronicdevice 101 is worn on the right arm of the user, the electronic device101 may determine, as the first display area, areas corresponding to thelocation where the user's gaze is directed to the right among segmentedareas of the flexible display 260.

In step 1550, the electronic device 101 may display first objectinformation on the first display area of the flexible display 260. Forexample, the first object information may include a watch face screen, auser interface screen, and a display screen showing various contents.The first object information may configure a screen to be suitable for asize or a direction corresponding to the first display area. Forexample, when the first display area includes a wide area in the entirearea of the flexible display 260, the electronic device 101 may displayfirst object information including a screen corresponding to the widearea. Alternatively, when the first display area includes a narrow areain the entire area of the flexible display 260, the electronic device101 may display first object information including a screencorresponding to the narrow area. Alternatively, when the electronicdevice 101 is mounted on the left arm of the user, the electronic device101 may display first object information configured as a screen suitablefor a user looking in the left direction. Alternatively, when theelectronic device 101 is mounted on the right arm of the user, theelectronic device 101 may display first object information configured asa screen suitable for the user looking in the right direction.

In step 1560, the electronic device 101 may identify whether the userhas taken off the electronic device 101. When the electronic device 101is taken off, the electronic device 101 may end display control of theflexible display 260. If the electronic device 101 is not taken off, theelectronic device 101 may perform step 1610 in FIG. 16 as a subsequentoperation.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, steps 1610, 1620, 1630, 1640, 1650, and 1660 maybe implemented through the electronic device 101, the electronic device102, or the electronic device 104, or the processor 120. The electronicdevice 101 may store instructions for executing steps 1610 to 1660 inthe memory 130. At least one of steps 1610 to 1660 may be omitted, theorder of some steps may be changed, or another step may be added.

Steps 1610 to 1660 may be steps that are subsequently performed when theelectronic device 101 is not taken off in step 1560 of FIG. 15.

In step 1610, the electronic device 101 may identify a change in thesituation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify situation information related to a behaviorpattern of a user wearing the electronic device 101 based on a patternor learning of sensor data collected by at least one of a gyro sensor, amagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor included in the sensor module176. For example, the situation information may include, as a user'sbehavior pattern, at least one of stopping, walking, running, riding abicycle, driving a vehicle, or exercising using the arms.

In step 1620, the electronic device 101 may identify that the situationof the electronic device 101 has changed when it is identified that theprevious situation has changed to a preconfigured situation based on thesituation information of the electronic device 101, or when it isidentified that the changed situation is maintained for a preconfiguredperiod of time. The electronic device 101 performs step 1630 when it isidentified that the situation change of the electronic device 101satisfies a preconfigured situation change or the situation change ismaintained for a predetermined period of time. Otherwise, the electronicdevice 101 may be in a standby state and proceed to step 1610 until thesituation change of the electronic device 101 satisfies thepreconfigured situation change.

In step 1630, when the situation change of the electronic device 101satisfies a preconfigured situation change or when the situation changeis maintained for a predetermined period of time, the electronic device101 may identify posture information including a vertical vector of theflexible display 260, based on sensor data collected by an accelerationsensor or a gyro sensor included in the sensor module 176. For example,when the situation of the electronic device 101 is changed to asituation in which the user's arm is maintained in a fixed state at apredetermined angle, such as when driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle,the electronic device 101 may identify the direction in which theflexible display 260 of the electronic device 101 is oriented accordingto the user driving a vehicle, based on posture information includingthe vertical vector of the flexible display 260. If the postureinformation of the electronic device 101 is identified, the electronicdevice 101 may perform step 1640, and, if the posture information is notidentified, the electronic device 101 may proceed to step 1610.

In step 1640, the electronic device 101 may determine a second displayarea of the flexible display 260 based on the identified situationinformation of the electronic device 101 and/or posture information ofthe electronic device 101. For example, the electronic device 101 mayidentify a certain area in which the user's gaze is fixed and maintainedin a first display area of the flexible display 260. For example, whenthe identified situation is changed to a situation in which the user'sarm is maintained in a fixed state at a predetermined angle in the firstdirection, such as when driving a vehicle, the electronic device 101 mayidentify a certain area of the flexible display 260 to which the user'sgaze can be directed according to the first direction of the user's arm,based on the posture information including the vertical vector of theflexible display 260. Further, when the identified certain area islimited to a partial area in the first display area of the flexibledisplay 260, the electronic device 101 may determine the partial area asa second display area. Alternatively, when the identified situation ischanged to a situation in which the user's arm is maintained in a fixedstate at a predetermined angle in a second direction, such as whenriding a bicycle, the electronic device 101 may identify a certain areaof the flexible display 260 to which the user's gaze can be directedaccording to the second direction of the user's arm, based on theposture information including the vertical vector of the flexibledisplay 260. Further, when the identified certain area is limited to apartial area in the first display area of the flexible display 260, theelectronic device 101 may determine the corresponding partial area to bea second display area.

In step 1650, the electronic device 101 may display second objectinformation in the second display area of the flexible display 260. Forexample, the second object information may include a watch face screen,a user interface screen, and a display screen showing various contents,which are the same as the first object information displayed on thefirst display area. The second object information may include a screenobtained by modifying a screen of the first object information to besuitable for a size or position corresponding to a second display areadifferent from the first display area. For example, when the seconddisplay area includes a partial flat area in the first display area, theelectronic device 101 may display second object information configuredas a screen corresponding to an area that is relatively narrower andflatter than the first display area. Alternatively, when the seconddisplay area includes a partial curved area in the first display area,the electronic device 101 may display second object informationconfigured as a screen corresponding to an area that is relativelynarrower and more curved than the first display area.

In step 1660, the electronic device 101 may identify whether the userhas taken off the electronic device 101. When the electronic device 101has been taken off, the electronic device 101 may end display control ofthe flexible display 260. If the electronic device 101 has not beentaken off, the electronic device 101 may perform step 2110 in FIG. 21 asa subsequent operation.

FIG. 17 is an illustration in which the electronic device 101 controls aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, a user may wear the electronic device 101 on thewrist of the user's right arm 202, and the user may be in a state ofholding a steering wheel 1701 of a vehicle with both hands of the leftarm 201 and the right arm 202 while driving the vehicle.

For example, the electronic device 101 may identify that the electronicdevice 101 is located on the right side of the user and determine, as afirst display area, a first area 261 and a second area 262 of theflexible display 260, in which the user's gaze is mainly located whilethe electronic device 101 is located on the right side of the user, andmay display screen information on the determined first display area.

Thereafter, when the user's behavior pattern is changed to avehicle-driving state, the electronic device 101 may recognize that thesituation of the electronic device 101 is changed to the vehicle-drivingstate, and may identify posture information of the electronic device 101including the vertical vector of the flexible display 260 in a driving avehicle situation. The electronic device 101 may identify that the firstarea 261 of the flexible display 260 corresponding to the side of theuser's wrist is located in the user's gaze, based on posture informationof the electronic device 101, and may change a display area of theflexible display 260 from the previous first display area to a seconddisplay area 1762 including only the first area 261.

FIG. 18 is an illustration in which the electronic device 101 controls aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, a user may wear the electronic device 101 on thewrist of the user's right arm 202, and the user may be in a state ofholding a steering wheel 1801 of a bicycle with both hands of the leftarm 201 and the right arm 202 while driving the bicycle. For example,the electronic device 101 may identify that the electronic device 101 islocated on the left side of the user and determine, as a first displayarea, a second area 262 and a third area 263 of the flexible display260, in which the user's gaze is mainly located while the electronicdevice 101 is located on the left side of the user, and may displayscreen information on the determined first display area.

Thereafter, when the user's behavior pattern is changed to abicycle-riding state, the electronic device 101 may recognize that thesituation of the electronic device 101 is changed to the bicycle-ridingstate, and may identify posture information of the electronic device 101including the vertical vector of the flexible display 260 in the ridinga bicycle situation. The electronic device 101 may identify that thesecond area 262 of the flexible display 260 corresponding to the upperside of the user's wrist is located in the user's gaze, based on theposture information of the electronic device 101, and may change adisplay area of the flexible display 260 from the previous first displayarea to a second display area 1862 including only the second area 262.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19, steps 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, and 1970may be implemented through the electronic device 101, the electronicdevice 102, or the electronic device 104, or the processor 120. Theelectronic device 101 may store instructions for executing steps 1910 to1970 in the memory 130. At least one of steps 1910 to 1970 may beomitted, the order of some steps may be changed, or another step may beadded.

Steps 1910 to 1970 may be steps that are subsequently performed when theelectronic device 101 is determined not to have been taken off in step1560 of FIG. 15.

In step 1910, the electronic device 101 may identify a situation changeof the electronic device 101.

In step 1920, the electronic device 101 performs step 1930 when it isidentified that the situation change of the electronic device 101satisfies a preconfigured situation change or the situation change ismaintained for a predetermined period of time.

Otherwise, the electronic device 101 may be in a standby state andproceed to step 1910 until the situation change of the electronic device101 satisfies the preconfigured situation change.

In step 1930, when the situation change of the electronic device 101satisfies a preconfigured situation change or when the situation changeis maintained for a predetermined period of time, the electronic device101 may identify posture information including a vertical vector of theflexible display 260, based on sensor data collected by an accelerationsensor or a gyro sensor included in the sensor module 176. If theposture information of the electronic device 101 is identified, theelectronic device 101 may perform step 1940, and if the postureinformation is not identified, the electronic device 101 may proceed tostep 1910.

In step 1940, the electronic device 101 may determine a second displayarea of the flexible display 260, based on the identified situationinformation of the electronic device 101 and/or posture information ofthe electronic device 101.

In step 1950, the electronic device 101 may identify bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify area information of the second display area ofthe flexible display by using the bending sensor 660. For example, thethicknesses of wrists of various users wearing the electronic device 101may be different from each other, and bending degrees of the flexibledisplay 260 may also be different from each other according to thethickness of the wrists of the users. For example, the total areas ofthe flexible displays 260 may be the same, but bending degrees orbending positions of the flexible displays 260 may be differentdepending on the user wearing the electronic device, and thus, areasegmentation of the flexible display 260 may be configured differently.Therefore, the areas of the second display areas of the flexibledisplays 260 may be different from each other.

In step 1960, the electronic device 101 may display second objectinformation in the second display area. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may display second object information based on the identifiedarea information of the second display area. For example, the secondobject information may be configured and displayed differently from adefault screen configuration in which the size or layout of a screen isarranged to be suitable for the area information of the second displayarea.

In step 1970, the electronic device 101 may identify whether the userhas taken off the electronic device 101. If the electronic device 101has been taken off, the electronic device 101 may end display control ofthe flexible display 260. If the electronic device 101 has not beentaken off, the electronic device 101 may perform step 2110 in FIG. 21 asa subsequent step.

FIG. 20A is an illustration of a method for identifying a segmented areaof a flexible display by the electronic device 101 according to anembodiment. FIG. 20B is an illustration of a method for identifying asegmented area of a flexible display by the electronic device 101according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, the wrist thicknesses of users aredifferent from each other, and FIG. 20A illustrates the situation wherethe wrist of a user is thicker than that of FIG. 20B.

When the electronic device 101 is worn on a user's wrist, the length ofthe end of the strap 215 a shown in FIG. 20A and the length of the endof the strap 215 b shown in FIG. 20B may be adjusted differentlydepending on the thickness of a user's wrist. The area of segmentedareas 261 a, 262 a, and 263 a of the flexible display 260 a shown inFIG. 20A and the area of the segmented areas 261 b, 262 b, and 263 b ofthe flexible display 260 b shown in FIG. 20B may be different from eachother, and bending portions thereof may be different from each other.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a flexible display byan electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, steps 2110, 2120, 2130, and 2140 may beimplemented through the electronic device 101, the electronic device102, or the electronic device 104, or the processor 120. The electronicdevice 101 may store instructions for executing steps 2110 to 2140 inthe memory 130. At least one of steps 2110 to 2140 may be omitted, theorder of some steps may be changed, or another step may be added.

Steps 2110 to 2140 may be steps that are subsequently performed when theelectronic device 101 is not taken off in step 1660 of FIG. 16 or step1970 in FIG. 17.

In step 2110, the electronic device 101 may identify movementinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify whether the identified movement information isrepeated with a predetermined pattern. When it is identified that theidentified movement information is repeated with a predeterminedpattern, the electronic device 101 may perform step 2120.

In step 2120, the electronic device 101 may, in response to the movementinformation, change and display a display direction, a screen size, or alayout of the second object information with respect to a default screenconfiguration, so as to have appropriate visibility.

In step 2130, the electronic device 101 may identify whether thesituation of the electronic device 101 changes, and if the situationchanges, the electronic device 101 may perform step 1610 in FIG. 16 as asubsequent step, and if the situation does not change, the electronicdevice 101 may proceed to step 2140.

In step 2140, the electronic device 101 may determine whether the userhas taken off electronic device 101. If the electronic device 101 istaken off, the electronic device 101 may end display control of theflexible display 260. If the electronic device 101 is not taken off, theelectronic device 101 may proceed to step 2110.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of an example in which the electronic device101 controls a flexible display according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 22, a user may wear the electronic device 101 on thewrist of the user's left arm 201 and the user may move the left arm 201.For example, the electronic device 101 may display screen information2265 (e.g., second object information) on a third area 263 of theflexible display 260. The electronic device 101 may detect the user'smovement 2210 by identifying the movement information of the electronicdevice 101, and if a condition of changing and displaying screeninformation 2265 in which the user's movement 2210 is displayed issatisfied, the electronic device 101 may change and display the screeninformation 2265 displayed in a direction 2262 corresponding to theuser's movement 2210.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of an example in which the electronic 101device controls a flexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, a user may wear the electronic device 101 on thewrist of the user's right arm, and the user may exercise with the arms(e.g., perform a bench press).

For example, the electronic device 101 may identify movement informationof the electronic device 101 so as to detect whether the user is in arepetitive exercise state with a predetermined pattern. Further, if theuser's exercise pattern satisfies a condition of changing and displayingdisplayed screen information, the electronic device 101 may distinguishand identify a first state 2310 of the user (e.g., a state in which theuser has lifted a weight (a hold state)) and a second state 2320 (e.g.,a state in which the user is raising a weight (a movement state)). Theelectronic device 101 may display screen information by performingdisplay control of the flexible display 260 in the first state 2310 bydefault. In addition, the electronic device 101 may perform displaycontrol of the flexible display 260 in the second state 2320 by changingand displaying a display direction or a display position of the screeninformation, so as to have appropriate visibility corresponding to themovement information of the electronic device 101.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart 2400 illustrating an operation of controlling aflexible display by an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 24, steps 2410, 2420, 2430, 2440, 2450, 2460, 2470,2480, and 2490 may be implemented through the electronic device 101, theelectronic device 102, or the electronic device 104, or the processor120. The electronic device 101 may store instructions for executingsteps 2410 to 2490 in the memory 130. At least one of step 2410 to 2490may be omitted, the order of some steps may be changed, or another stepmay be added.

In step 2410, the electronic device 101 may identify whether bending ofthe electronic device 101 is changed. For example, the electronic device101 may identify whether bending of the flexible display 260 is changedby using the bending sensor 660. If it is identified that bending of theelectronic device 101 is changed, the electronic device 101 may performstep 2420, and if a change in bending is not identified, the electronicdevice 101 may proceed to step 2490.

In step 2420, the electronic device 101 may identify whether theelectronic device 101 is being worn on the user's body. If wearing ofthe electronic device 101 is identified, the electronic device 101 mayperform step 2430. If wearing of the electronic device 101 is notidentified, the electronic device 101 may proceed to step 2490.

In step 2430, the electronic device 101 may identify bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify bending state information including areasegmentation information of the flexible display 260 corresponding to abending degree of the flexible display 260, using the bending sensor660.

In step 2440, the electronic device 101 may identify wearing stateinformation of the electronic device 101. For example, the electronicdevice 101 may identify wearing state information including a wearingposition or a wearing orientation of the electronic device 101 by usingthe sensor module 176. If the wearing state information of theelectronic device 101 is identified, the electronic device 101 mayperform step 2450, and if the wearing state information is notidentified, the electronic device 101 may be in a standby state andproceed to step 2440 until the wearing state information is identified.

In step 2450, the electronic device 101 may determine a first displayarea of the flexible display 260, based on the identified wearing stateinformation of the electronic device 101 and/or bending stateinformation of the electronic device 101.

In step 2460, the electronic device 101 may display first objectinformation on the first display area of the flexible display 260.

In step 2470, the electronic device 101 may identify whether theelectronic device 101 is taken off of the user. If the electronic device101 is taken off, the electronic device 101 may perform step 2480, andif the electronic device 101 is not taken off, the electronic device 101may perform step 1610 in FIG. 16 as a subsequent operation.

In step 2480, the electronic device 101 may identify whether theoperation of the electronic device 101 ends. If the operation of theelectronic device 101 ends, the electronic device 101 may end displaycontrol of the flexible display 260 of the electronic device 101, and ifthe operation of the electronic device 101 does not end, the electronicdevice 101 may proceed to step 2490.

In step 2490, the electronic device 101 may perform an operation in anon-wearing state of the electronic device 101. For example, when theelectronic device 101 is not worn on the user's body, the flexibledisplay 260 maintains a flat state without bending, and may be used as ageneral portable terminal. The electronic device 101 may display screeninformation on the entire area of the flexible display 260 withoutdividing the area of the flexible display 260.

FIG. 25A is an illustration of an example in which the electronic device101 controls a flexible display according to an embodiment. FIG. 25B isan illustration of an example in which the electronic device 101controls a flexible display according to an embodiment. FIG. 25C is anillustration of an example in which the electronic device 101 controls aflexible display according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 25C, FIG. 25A illustrates a non-wearingstate of the electronic device 101, FIG. 25B illustrates a transition toa non-wearing or wearing state of the electronic device 101, and FIG.25C illustrates a wearing state of the electronic device 101.

The electronic device 101 may be used as a general portable electronicdevice as shown in FIG. 25A when the electronic device 101 is not wornon a user's body. In addition, as shown in FIG. 25B, the electronicdevice 101 may transition to a wearing state from a non-wearing state ormay transition to a non-wearing state from a wearing state. In addition,the electronic device 101 may be used as a wearable electronic device asshown in FIG. 25C in the state in which the electronic device 101 isworn on the user's body.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a flexibledisplay; at least one sensor; at least one processor functionallyconnected to the flexible display and the at least one sensor; and amemory functionally connected to the at least one processor, wherein thememory stores instructions which, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to identify wearing state information of the electronic deviceand/or bending state information of the electronic device by using theat least one sensor; display first object information on a first displayarea of the flexible display, based at least on the identified wearingstate information and/or bending state information; identify a situationchange of the electronic device by the at least one sensor; in responseto the identification of the situation change, acquire the situationinformation of the electronic device or posture information of theelectronic device by using the at least one sensor; and display secondobject information on a second display area including at least a partialarea of the first display area of the flexible display, based at leaston the acquired situation information and/or the posture information.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to identify the wearing state informationincluding at least one of whether the electronic device is being worn, awearing position on which the electronic device is being worn, or awearing orientation in which the electronic device is being worn byusing the at least one sensor.

In the electronic device, the at least one sensor may include at leastone of a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, aproximity sensor, or a biometric sensor.

In the electronic device, the at least one sensor may further include abending sensor configured to measure a bending degree of the flexibledisplay, wherein the instructions may be configured to cause the atleast one processor to identify bending state information including areasegmentation information of the flexible display corresponding to abending degree of the flexible display measured by using the bendingsensor.

In the electronic device, the bending sensor may include at least one ofa flex sensor, a pressure sensor, a plurality of gyro sensors, aplurality of acceleration sensors, or a Hall effect IC sensor.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to determine (e.g., identify) the firstdisplay area among segmented areas of the flexible display, based on thewearing state information and the bending state information.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to identify the situation information basedon a pattern or learning of sensor data obtained by using the at leastone sensor; and when it is identified that a previous situation changesto a preconfigured situation based on the identified situationinformation, identify the posture information including a verticalvector of the flexible display by using the at least one sensor.

In the electronic device, the situation information may include at leastone of stopping, walking, running, riding a bicycle, driving a vehicle,or exercise using the arms.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to identify the posture information when itis identified that the changed situation is maintained for apreconfigured time based on the situation information of the electronicdevice.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to determine a second display area within thefirst display area of the flexible display based on the situationinformation and the posture information.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to activate the first display area or thesecond display area among the segmented areas of the flexible display,and deactivate a third display area different from the first displayarea and the second display area among the segmented areas of theflexible display.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to identify the area size information of thefirst display area or the second display area of the flexible display byusing the bending sensor; and change and display the first objectinformation or the second object information based on the identifiedarea size information of the first display area or the second displayarea.

In the electronic device, the instructions may be configured to causethe at least one processor to identify movement information of theelectronic device by using the at least one sensor; and change anddisplay the first object information or the second object informationbased on the identified movement information.

According to an embodiment, a storage medium may have instructionsstored therein, and when executed by at least one circuit, theinstructions may be configured to cause the at least one circuit toperform at least one operation, wherein the at least one operation mayinclude identifying wearing state information of an electronic deviceand/or bending state information of the electronic device by using theat least one sensor; displaying first object information on a firstdisplay area of the flexible display, based on at least the identifiedwearing state information and/or bending state information; identifyinga situation change of the electronic device by the at least one sensor;in response to the identification of the situation change, acquiringsituation information of the electronic device or posture information ofthe electronic device by using the at least one sensor; and displayingsecond object information on a second display area including at least apartial area of the first display area of the flexible display, based onat least the acquired situation information and/or the postureinformation.

In the storage medium, the at least one operation may further includeidentifying the wearing state information including at least one ofwhether the electronic device is worn, a wearing position on which theelectronic device is being worn, or a wearing orientation in which theelectronic device is being worn, using the at least one sensor. In thestorage medium, the at least one sensor may further include a bendingsensor configured to measure bending state information of the flexibledisplay, and the at least one operation may further include identifyingthe bending state information including area segmentation information ofthe flexible display, corresponding to a bending degree of the flexibledisplay, using the bending sensor.

In the storage medium, the at least one operation may includeidentifying the situation information based on a pattern or learning ofcollected sensor data, using the at least one sensor; and when it isidentified that a previous situation changes to a preconfiguredsituation based on the identified situation information, identifying theposture information including the vertical vector of the flexibledisplay by using the at least one sensor.

In the storage medium, the at least one operation may further includedetermining the first display area among segmented areas of the flexibledisplay, based on the wearing state information and the bending stateinformation; and determining a second display area within the firstdisplay area of the flexible display, based on the situation informationand the posture information.

In the storage medium, the at least one operation may further includechanging and displaying the first object information or the secondobject information, based on at least area size information of the firstdisplay area or the second display area of the flexible display, and/ormovement information of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, a method for controlling a flexible displaymay include identifying wearing state information of the electronicdevice and/or bending state information of the electronic device byusing the at least one sensor; displaying first object information on afirst display area of the flexible display, based on at least theidentified wearing state information and/or bending state information;identifying a situation change of the electronic device by the at leastone sensor; in response to the identification of the situation change,acquiring the situation information of the electronic device or postureinformation of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor;and displaying second object information on a second display areaincluding at least a partial area of the first display area of theflexible display, based on at least the acquired situation informationand/or the posture information.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one ofvarious types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include,for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), acomputer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medicaldevice, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According toan embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limitedto those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure andthe terms used therein are not intended to limit the technologicalfeatures set forth herein to particular embodiments and include variouschanges, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.With regard to the description of the drawings, similar referencenumerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is tobe understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an itemmay include one or more of the things, unless the relevant contextclearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “Aor B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, orC,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” mayinclude any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumeratedtogether in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, suchterms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simplydistinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limitthe components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to beunderstood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to,with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupledwith,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element(e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled withthe other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a thirdelement.

As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented inhardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used withother terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or“circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimumunit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. Forexample, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in aform of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software(e.g., the program 140) including one or more instructions that arestored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device 101).For example, a processor (e.g., the processor 120) of the machine (e.g.,the electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of the one or moreinstructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with orwithout using one or more other components under the control of theprocessor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at leastone function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The oneor more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or acode executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage mediummay be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein,the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is atangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagneticwave), but this term does not differentiate between where data issemi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data istemporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to the disclosure may beincluded and provided in a computer program product. The computerprogram product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer.The computer program product may be distributed in the form of amachine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory(CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online viaan application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices(e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part ofthe computer program product may be temporarily generated or at leasttemporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such asmemory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store,or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or aprogram) of the above-described components may include a single entityor multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more ofthe above-described components may be omitted, or one or more othercomponents may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality ofcomponents (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a singlecomponent. In such a case, according to various embodiments, theintegrated component may still perform one or more functions of each ofthe plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they areperformed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components beforethe integration. According to various embodiments, operations performedby the module, the program, or another component may be carried outsequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or moreof the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, orone or more other operations may be added.

While the disclosure has been particularly shown and described withreference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a flexibledisplay; at least one sensor; at least one processor functionallyconnected to the flexible display and the at least one sensor; and amemory functionally connected to the at least one processor, wherein thememory is configured to store instructions which, when executed, causethe at least one processor to: identify wearing state information of theelectronic device and/or bending state information of the electronicdevice by using the at least one sensor; display first objectinformation on a first display area of the flexible display, based on atleast the identified wearing state information and/or bending stateinformation; identify a situation change of the electronic device by theat least one sensor; in response to identifying the situation change,acquire situation information of the electronic device or postureinformation of the electronic device by using the at least one sensor;and display second object information on a second display areacomprising at least a partial area of the first display area of theflexible display, based on at least the acquired situation informationand/or the posture information.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the memory is further configured to store instructions which,when executed, cause the at least one processor to identify the wearingstate information comprising at least one of whether the electronicdevice is being worn, a wearing position on which the electronic deviceis being worn, or a wearing orientation in which the electronic deviceis being worn, using the at least one sensor.
 3. The electronic deviceof claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one of agyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a proximitysensor, and a biometric sensor.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the at least one sensor comprises a bending sensor configured tomeasure a bending degree of the flexible display, and the memory isfurther configured to store instructions which, when executed, cause theat least one processor to identify area segmentation information of theflexible display corresponding to the bending degree of the flexibledisplay measured by using the bending sensor, wherein the bending stateinformation comprises the area segmentation information of the flexibledisplay.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the bending sensorcomprises at least one of a flex sensor, a pressure sensor, a gyrosensor, an acceleration sensor, and a Hall effect integrated circuit(IC) sensor.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the memory isfurther configured to store instructions which, when executed, cause theat least one processor to identify the first display area amongsegmented areas of the flexible display, based on the wearing stateinformation and the bending state information.
 7. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the memory is further configured to storeinstructions which, when executed, cause the at least one processor to:identify the situation information based on a pattern or learning ofsensor data obtained by using the at least one sensor; and when it isidentified that a previous situation changes to a preconfiguredsituation based on the identified situation information, identify theposture information comprising a vertical vector of the flexible displayby using the at least one sensor.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7,wherein the situation information comprises at least one of stopping,walking, running, riding a bicycle, driving a vehicle, and exerciseusing an arm.
 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the memory isfurther configured to store instructions which, when executed, cause theat least one processor to identify the posture information when it isidentified that a situation changed based on the situation informationof the electronic device is maintained for a preconfigured time.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the memory is further configuredto store instructions which, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor to identify the second display area within the first displayarea of the flexible display, based on the situation information and theposture information.
 11. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein thememory is further configured to store instructions which, when executed,cause the at least one processor to activate the first display area orthe second display area among the segmented areas of the flexibledisplay, and deactivate a third display area different from the firstdisplay area and the second display area among the segmented areas. 12.The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the memory is furtherconfigured to store instructions which, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to: identify area size information of the firstdisplay area or the second display area of the flexible display by usingthe bending sensor; and change and display the first object informationor the second object information, based on the identified area sizeinformation of the first display area or the second display area. 13.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the memory is furtherconfigured to store instructions which, when executed, cause the atleast one processor to: identify movement information of the electronicdevice by using the at least one sensor; and change and display thefirst object information or the second object information, based on theidentified movement information.
 14. A non-transitory storage mediumstoring instructions which, when executed by at least one circuit, areconfigured to cause the at least one circuit to perform at least oneoperation comprising: identifying wearing state information of anelectronic device and/or bending state information of the electronicdevice by using at least one sensor; displaying first object informationon a first display area of a flexible display, based on at least theidentified wearing state information and/or bending state information;identifying a situation change in the electronic device by the at leastone sensor; in response to identifying the situation change, acquiringsituation information of the electronic device or posture information ofthe electronic device by using the at least one sensor; and displayingsecond object information on a second display area comprising at least apartial area of the first display area of the flexible display, based onat least the acquired situation information and/or the postureinformation.
 15. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 14, whereinthe at least one operation further comprises identifying the wearingstate information comprising at least one of whether the electronicdevice is being worn, a wearing position on which the electronic deviceis being worn, and a wearing orientation in which the electronic deviceis being worn, using the at least one sensor.
 16. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor comprises abending sensor configured to measure bending state information of theflexible display, and the at least one operation further comprisesidentifying area segmentation information of the flexible displaycorresponding to a bending degree of the flexible display, using thebending sensor, wherein the bending state information comprises the areasegmentation information of the flexible display.
 17. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 14, wherein the at least one operationcomprises: identifying the situation information based on a pattern orlearning of sensor data obtained by using the at least one sensor; andwhen it is identified that a previous situation changes to apreconfigured situation based on the identified situation information,identifying the posture information comprising a vertical vector of theflexible display by using the at least one sensor.
 18. Thenon-transitory storage medium of claim 14, wherein the at least oneoperation further comprises: identifying the first display area amongsegmented areas of the flexible display, based on the wearing stateinformation and the bending state information; and identifying thesecond display area within the first display area of the flexibledisplay, based on the situation information and the posture information.19. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 14, wherein the at leastone operation further comprises changing and displaying the first objectinformation or the second object information, based on at least areasize information of the first display area or the second display area ofthe flexible display, and/or movement information of the electronicdevice.
 20. A method for controlling a flexible display, comprising:identifying wearing state information of an electronic device and/orbending state information of the electronic device by using at least onesensor; displaying first object information on a first display area ofthe flexible display, based on at least the identified wearing stateinformation and/or bending state information; identifying a situationchange of the electronic device by the at least one sensor; in responseto identifying the situation change, acquiring situation information ofthe electronic device or posture information of the electronic device byusing the at least one sensor; and displaying second object informationon a second display area comprising at least a partial area of the firstdisplay area of the flexible display, based on at least the acquiredsituation information and/or the posture information.